Almost all mothers are concerned about their baby’s first food items, such as bananas, puffs, cheese, and other fruits and vegetables.
They don’t know when and how to serve these foods to their baby. Also, they don’t know when babies can eat Cheerios.
The question about Cheerios is very common, and I think we should continue reading to find the answer.
When can babies eat Cheerios? Or What Age Can Babies Eat Cheerios?
Babies typically can start on solid foods from their 6th month, but at this time, they are not ready for Cheerios. You must wait until your baby reaches 9 months or when they are able to take any food particles with their fingers.
The 9-month-old baby develops fine motor skills, resulting in their being able to take any object with their thumb and index finger, a process called pincer grasp.
There is no fixed time to eat Cheerios; it depends on the individual. The considered time period for eating Cheerios is 8–10 months because babies’ developing pincer grasp varies; it may be before or after nine months.
Otherwise, if you notice some signs from your baby, you may confirm that your baby is ready for Cheerios.
These signs are:
- Pincer grasp: Babies can pick up Cheerios or any food with their fingers and bring it to their mouth.
- Sitting up unassisted: Your baby sits without any help and has control of their head and neck.
- Chewing ability: Baby chews any soft food with their gums and shows interest in food.
These signs will help you to consider when it is the right time to offer Cheerios as finger food.
It will be better if you seek advice from a pediatrician about when and how to give Cheerios to your baby.
Can babies have Honey Nut Cheerios?
No, babies under 12 months of age cannot have Honey Nut Cheerios because of their immature digestive system and weak immune system.
Honey contains Clostridium botulinum bacterial spores, a risk of botulism that can cause serious illness. Babies under 1 year have not developed a digestive system like older children, so they are not ready to fight against bacterial spores, which may result in them suffering from infant botulism.
For this reason, parents should consider their baby’s age when offering honey products. The more they grow, the more suitable they are for honey or any honey product, like Cheerios.
Otherwise, Honey Nut Cheerios also contain high amounts of sugar and salt, which are not suitable for babies under 1 year. It will be better if parents wait until their child is older to give any sweet and salty food.
Are Cheerios healthy for babies?
We know that any processed foods found in the market are not as healthy as homemade food.Cheerios are a processed food but comparatively healthier than any other ready-made food.
Not all Cheerios are suitable for babies because they contain high amounts of sugar, salt, extra additives, and a limited amount of nutrients.
But “Original or regular Cheerios” varieties are considered healthy because they contain lower amounts of sugar and salt, adequate amounts of fiber, and are fortified with essential nutrients and vitamins like carbohydrates, fat, protein, iron, calcium, vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, vitamin B12, vitamin D, folate, and zinc.
Cheerios alone do not meet the proper nutritional needs of the baby, so it is better to mix Cheerios with milk to enhance its nutrients and calories.
To prepare a perfect breakfast for your baby, incorporate milk or yogurt, eggs, nuts, and any fruit item with Cheerios.
What Are the Best Cheerios for Babies?
There are different types of Cheerios available in the market, such as Honey Nut Cheerios, Chocolate Cheerios, Cinnamon Cheerios, Original Cheerios, Pumpkin Spice Cheerios, Multi Grain Cheerios, and many more.
While so many varieties are available in the market, it’s quite normal to be confused about which is best for babies. Don’t be upset; here is a solution for you.
Original Cheerios are considered the best of all varieties, and I personally recommend purchasing them for babies because they contain lower amounts of sugar and sodium than other Cheerios.
It contains 1 g of added sugar and 190 mg of sodium per serving of Cheerios which is a kid-friendly breakfast item.
Original Cheerios are made from oats, corn starch, tripotassium phosphate, and vitamin E to preserve freshness. They do not contain honey, artificial colours, and flavors. It is also a gluten-free breakfast cereal for babies.
It is a good source of calcium, zinc, iron, and fiber, and is also enriched with vitamins B12, vitamin A, C and D. So, pick the Original Cheerios for your baby to ensure safety and provide proper nutritional value for their daily needs.
Tips and advice:
Cheerios can be a safe and good food item for a baby if the mother can provide it in a proper way. Here are some tips and advice for mothers about Cheerios:
- Consulting: Consult with a pediatrician about any types of solid foods or Cheerios. They’ll give proper advice on when and how to start Cheerios based on your baby’s body condition.
- Provide Cheerios at the right time: Don’t offer Cheerios too early, as they are not ready for Cheerios. Regular or normal Cheerios should be provided after 9 months, and Honey Nut Cheerios should be provided after 12 months or more.
- Provide lower to higher: Mothers should not give higher amounts of Cheerios at a time to their baby. At first, give small amounts to adapt their digestive system, and then gradually increase to large quantities.
- Be concerned about sugar and salt: Cheerios are a processed food, it contains high amounts of salt and sugar which is not healthy for babies. So be careful and wait until they are suitable for this kind of food.
- Monitor for allergies: Though Cheerios are an allergy-friendly food, some Cheerios, like Honey Nut Cheerios, are made from honey and other ingredients that may contain allergens. So, always should be monitor for signs of allergic reactions, such as itching or swelling, and also try to purchase gluten-free Cheerios for your baby.
- Be careful when they eat: Though Cheerios has a low choking risk, some babies do not have good chewing skills and are unable to self-feed; in that case, the choking risk will be high. So always supervise your baby to prevent choking hazards.
- Check the label before purchasing: Check the label and avoid Cheerios, which contain higher amounts of sugar, sodium, flavour, and extra additives that are harmful for the baby.
Do Cheerios have a choking hazard for babies?
Generally, no, because the food company designed it in a 0 shape and made it easy to dissolve so that it’s not a choking hazard to the baby. A minimum amount of water or saliva can break the Cheerios into a soft mash in the baby’s mouth, allowing them to be swallowed easily.
But I think it’s impossible to say exactly whether Cheerios have a choking hazard for babies. It depends on the individual baby; some 9-month babies are ready to eat Cheerios, but some are after 12 months.
Otherwise, we know that any food can accidentally choke anybody, not only children.
So, we should be concerned and monitor when we give Cheerios or any food to our baby.
Remember that Cheerios are not recommended before 8/9 months because there is a high risk of choking hazard for those babies.
Can Cheerios help baby poop?
Yes, Cheerios can help babies who are suffering from constipation. Constipation is a common condition for babies, and various factors can contribute to it, such as a low-fiber diet and dehydration.
Cheerios are generally made from whole-grain oats, wheat, corn, and rice, which contain a high amount of dietary fiber.
As fiber can absorb water, it helps regulate the bowel system of babies by making the stool softer and easier to pass.
If your child struggles with constipation, you can incorporate Cheerios, and of course, you should start from lower amounts to higher amounts for better results.
Do Cheerios contain common allergens?
Yes, but not all Cheerios. It depends on the varieties. There are different types of Cheerios, such as Original Cheerios, Honey Nut Cheerios, Multi-Grain Cheerios, Chocolate Cheerios, Fruity Cheerios, etc.
Original Cheerios are made from oats, which are naturally gluten-free and do not contain allergens. They are considered safe for babies.
However, Honey Nut Cheerios are made from honey, peanuts, tree nuts, corn, salt, sugar, and other ingredients that may contain common allergens.
Sometimes, gluten-free Cheerios may be contaminated with gluten-containing grains like wheat, rye, and barley due to cross-contamination during the manufacturing process of oats.
Some countries like Australia and New Zealand make Original Cheerios by using corn, wheat, oats, and rice that are not gluten-free.
Gluten-containing foods are harmful to babies, especially those who have celiac disease. Gluten foods are strictly prohibited for celiac patients.
So, check the gluten level when purchasing any Cheerios for your baby and give a few amounts at first. If it does not show any signs of allergy in their body, then gradually increase it.
